Can the solar industry also grow without government subsidies?
In the long run no more support will be required to help the development of photovoltaic electricity. The solar industry will become capable of a high level of growth without government subsidies in the foreseeable future. Given the increasing costs of conventional energy source, the decreasing costs of renewable energy sources, as well as a growing export market, solar thermal could achieve this within the next five years and PV sector in 10-15 years. With increasing sales leading to scale economies and efforts realised by producers to reduce the cost of photovoltaic products, it is expected that photovoltaic will be competitive with electricity prices in the South of Europe by 2012 and in most of Europe by 2020. Until then, the market introduction of solar energy is dependent on statutory frameworks if it is to become competitive and survive in the global market. Until then the industry requires investment security for developing solar power manufacturing plants and for their high de
